Arnica is the entry drug to the larger world of homeopathy for many people. Yes, homeopathic medicines are drugs, but safe, extremely dilute drugs, with no unwanted side effects.

And arnica montana holds its place as the first remedy many try. And most who do, if they use it in the face of any traumatic injury, are rightly amazed by its effects, and have a newfound appreciation of this gentle art and science called homeopathy.

The Mighty Guardian

Lionheart is the king of his world. A great big Airedale terrier, he protects my chiropractor, Dr. Mary Traverse, and her livestock out in the wilds of rural Texas. I have the good fortune to be his doctor, and he’s a quiet character when it comes to people, but a fierce guy when it comes to invaders.

A bit of insight into Lionheart’s personality from his loving owner:

“He is always ready to play, but please don’t expect him to do something inane like fetch a ball.  Forget that.  But he loves stuffed toys and will carry them around for months without damaging them.  What a nut.”

While he’s been known to run off coyotes, and even learned how to kill a skunk without getting sprayed, he took one threatening step too close to a visitor he had never seen before, and likely hopes he’ll never see again: a porcupine!

As you can see, he got a snootful of barbed porcupine spines injected right into his tender nose. Ouch! Dr. Mary pulled a couple, as quickly as she could, but they bled and Lionheart winced.

Drugs Please. Stat!

It was time to get some serious drugs on board to get this handled! Dr. Rama Santschi was kind enough to offer her weekend services, and, once Lionheart was doped up with some morphine so he felt no pain, out the spines came, one by one. Tug with a forceps, tink in the tray. Tug, tink, repeat.

Lionheart got some arnica from my homeopathic remedy kit that Dr. Mary wisely owns. A few granules, mixed into a half cup of water, and she had enough arnica to dose many times, though I recommended only a few doses over the next 24 hours.

1/6/2013 Addendum: A Different Remedy!

In reviewing my records and checking with Dr. Mary, I realize that the remedy we landed on as “most similar” to the suffering incurred by Lionheart was not arnica, but rather, ledum. Known for puncture wounds and the effects of same, Allen’s Keynotes says of ledum, “Punctured wounds by sharp-pointed instruments, as awls, nails; rat bites, stings of insects, especially mosquitoes.”

Lionheart got a couple of doses of ledum when he was first jabbed, and post-surgically, also got some arnica to help with the trauma.

Invisible Exit Wounds!

“It’s almost eerie,” said Dr. Mary, when I next saw her for my Network Spinal Analysis session two days later.

“There’s absolutely no sign that he ever had these things poking into his flesh! No scabs, no red spots, nothing.”

Before I got on her table, she showed me the “souvenirs” saved from Lionheart’s encounter. They were stout, strong, and finely barbed. Stories exist of these barbs working their way into the brain (!) in some unlucky animals who didn’t get them properly removed. They have a way of migrating, apparently. Sheesh.

Arnica, the Wonder Drug

While I was still a homeopathic newbie, I was at a horse farm on Maui, taking care of a couple of patients. A mom, hearing I was learning homeopathy, recounted the following family story to me, and I’ve never forgotten it. It illustrates just how profound the healing from a simple remedy can be.

“My daughter at 12 was standing next to a jump when a horse was going over it. The horse’s front hooves hit the top rail, and sent it flying right into my daughter’s forehead! The sight of it hitting her sent me scurrying to her, and luckily, I had my remedy kit in my purse.

I immediately gave her some arnica, right on her tongue, and held her and soothed her, repeating the dose a few times. After what seemed an impossibly short time, she pushed away and got back to the business of being a girl there for the horses! And do you know, her forehead never even bruised!”

My Local E.R. Has This, Right??

Not likely. You’ll have to pack it in yourself. And probably, have to sneak your doses into your loved one or yourself, as Dr. WhiteCoat may fear what he doesn’t know and disallow its use! It’s not only totally safe, but will hasten the healing of traumatic injury many fold.

I recommend everyone have some arnica for emergencies. It’s easily found at many grocery stores, most all health food stores, and is found in homeopathic remedy kits everywhere.

Speaking of remedy kits, I have one that goes with a well-received course on how to use remedies and keep your animals out of the E.R.

It has eighteen remedies, well described in videos and a nice book, with indications and instructions on how to use them to avoid E.R. trips for most emergencies. My patients rarely, if ever, need the E.R.

How about you? Any arnica miracles in your life?